autosensitization

noun

A hypersensitivity reaction to a self-antigen (any biomolecule of one's own body, usually a particular protein thereof). Often it does not occur until somehow triggered by an exogenous immune challenge (such as an infection), but once triggered it becomes its own ongoing molecular process that is independent of that stimulus.

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Meanings

nounautosensitization (usually uncountable, plural autosensitizations)

plural autosensitizations

  1. uncountableusuallybiologyA hypersensitivity reaction to a self-antigen (any biomolecule of one's own body, usually a particular protein thereof). Often it does not occur until somehow triggered by an exogenous immune challenge (such as an infection), but once triggered it becomes its own ongoing molecular process that is independent of that stimulus.

Origin

From international scientific vocabulary, reflecting New Latin combining forms, from auto- + sensitization = auto- + sensitize + -ation.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

autosensitization. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/autosensitization

MLA

“autosensitization.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/autosensitization. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “autosensitization,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/autosensitization.

Source: autosensitization on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.